Johnson hit with possible speakership rivals as conservatives rebel over government funding plan

House GOP critics of Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., are already starting to discuss potential challengers as tensions rise over government funding talks. According to sources who spoke with Fox News Digital, names like Majority Whip Tom Emmer, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Rep. Byron Donalds have been mentioned as possible alternatives.

In response to these rumors, a source close to Donalds stated that the congressman has not made any statements regarding the future of House leadership. Emmer’s spokesperson reiterated his support for Speaker Johnson, emphasizing that Emmer is focused on his duties as Majority Whip. Fox News Digital reached out to Donalds, Jordan, and Johnson’s offices for comment but did not receive a response.

The discussions about potential rivals to Johnson in the upcoming House-wide speaker vote on Jan. 3, 2025, come as Republican lawmakers express strong opposition to the short-term spending bill, also known as a continuing resolution (CR). The 1,547-page CR has faced criticism from conservatives and House GOP hardliners due to the inclusion of unrelated policy riders and provisions on health care, ethanol fuel, disaster aid funding, and other measures.

Multiple GOP lawmakers have signaled that Johnson could face a challenge to his leadership over the CR. While Emmer, Jordan, and Donalds have previously expressed support for Johnson, there are indications that some members are considering their options.

Despite the potential for a challenge, Johnson has the backing of President-elect Donald Trump and is expected to garner significant support from GOP lawmakers. He has defended the CR as the best outcome given the circumstances and has downplayed concerns about his leadership.

As the backlash against the spending bill grows, with criticism even coming from figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Johnson remains confident in his ability to govern effectively. He and his allies argue that they have made the most of their position in government and are focused on delivering results for the American people.

In the midst of this political turmoil, the stage is set for a potentially contentious battle over government funding and leadership in the House of Representatives. The outcome of the speaker vote in January will be a crucial turning point for the Republican Party and its approach to governance in the coming years.